Protect the Consumer

Our friends at Americans for Fairness in Lending asked me to share some great information with you about a new site that they are involved with called ProtectTheConsumer.org and their recent webinar with Professor Elisabeth Warren about financial reform. If you missed the webinar, you can listen to it here.

Professor Warren emphasized, we can’t win this fight without everyone’s help. The big banks will always be able to outspend consumers, so it’s up to us to make sure our voices are heard as the Senate considers financial reform legislation. Use your words to make a difference by taking action today!

Financial Reform 101 with Prof. Elizabeth Warren

I was asked by my friends at AFFIL to share this information with you.

Americans for Financial Reform invites you to a special online event!

Financial Reform 101 with Prof. Elizabeth Warren

Tuesday, April 6
4:00 – 4:45 pm Eastern time

AFR is hosting this special discussion with Professor Elizabeth Warren and AFR Director Heather Booth for the general public. It will focus on where we stand in the movement for financial reform, and how everyday citizens can get involved in the fight to rein in the big banks and get the economy back on track. We hope you can join us and promote the webinar far and wide!

You and your members can sign up here:

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/482147880

* Find out about reform efforts in Congress—including the Senate bill currently being debated, and the House bill which passed in December
* Learn why we need a Consumer Financial Protection Agency to protect us from abusive financial products
* Ask Professor Warren and Heather Booth your question about financial reform
* Hear about ways to join the fight around the country and online

Space is limited so sign up now!

Special thanks to the National Consumer Law Center for providing the webinar software. Please contact Sarah Byrnes, Sally Brzozowski or Chris Bowers with questions.

It starts tomorrow! The Call for Financial Reform!

From http://ourfinancialsecurity.org/2010/02/action-center-tell-congress-to-hold-banks-accountable/

Tell Congress to Hold Banks Accountable

Join Americans for Financial Reform and our allies around the country in our first National Senate Call-in Week, March 1 – 4, 2010.

AFR is joined in this effort by our large coalition of organizations, small businesses, and individuals.

As financial reform legislation moves through the Senate, we are asking our Senators to:

• Crack down on irresponsible and reckless behavior by big Wall Street banks and hold them accountable;
• Protect consumers by policing unfair and deceptive practices by credit card companies, mortgage companies, and predatory lenders, and create a strong and independent consumer financial protection agency to get the job done well;
• Close the loopholes that allow secret and risky ‘shadow market’ deals where big banks enjoy the winnings of gambling with our money, and then expect us to pay when they lose.

If you’d like to be a part of this week of action, download the flier (pdf) and contact information by clicking here.

To RSVP for this event on Facebook, click here.

Mortgages - Maxed Out

I ran across this article about the mortgage boom, and bust, and they mentioned the movie Maxed Out.  I first heard about the movie Maxed Out from Sally Brzozowski of Americans for Fairness in Lending.

To change the future, we have to learn from our past mistakes, and Maxed Out can help to teach us that history lesson when it comes to the topic of credit and finances.

Americans for Fairness in Lending

Americans for Fairness in Lending (AFFIL) and Americans for Financial Reform (AFR) are partnering to reform the nation’s lending industry and financial system to protect Americans’ neighborhoods, homes and pocketbooks.

The work very hard to make sure that the consumer's rights are taken into consideration and that help to get the voice of the people heard. Here are some of the things that they are working on, and how you can help.

The Senate Banking Committee is expected to address its version of financial reform this month. Tell your Senators that we need a strong CFPA as part of the package! Click Here!

Move Your Money! Our friends at the Huffington Post and Americans for Financial Reform are encouraging people to move their money away from the biggest, baddest banks to smaller, community based banks and credit unions. Read all about it, and give some thought to moving your money if you bank with one of the "Big Four."

Avoid that Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL)! Every year, consumers spend millions of their own dollars to get their tax returns just a few days early. If you get your taxes prepared professionally, make sure to say "no" if you are offered a rapid refund (RAL). It's really a loan with an extremely high interest rate -- like 1300%! Sit tight and wait a few days for your full refund. (Can't wait even a few days? Visit the Consumer Federation of America for tips finding affordable short-term loans.)